Pool plugs water waste

By Shaun Inguanzo
SWIMMERS are making a splash over water savings at Noble Park Swim Centre.
The City of Greater Dandenong said pool staff had noticed swimmers were having shorter showers and using plugs in hand basins to help battle the state’s water shortage.
City of Greater Dandenong development services director Mal Baker said swimmers had also been asking a number of questions to staff about the pool’s water saving strategies.
“Visitors are more aware of water usage than they have been in the past and customers ask staff about whether water saving shower heads have been installed, and they have,” he said.
Mr Baker said swimmers also asked whether or not the garden gets watered.
“It doesn’t,” he said.
And in relation to the pool water, Mr Baker said it was filtered, treated and reused. The spike in interest regarding water saving techniques might have something to do with tough water restrictions imposed on Victorians, according to the council.
“Many patrons have expressed their appreciation that the pool is available because they cannot use paddling pools or play under the sprinkler in their own back yards,” Mr Baker said.
Mr Baker said the council-owned pool had special exemptions – but had already been saving water prior to it becoming a statewide issue.
“Stage three water restrictions do not affect the pool or its operations,” he said.
“Water conservation has been a priority at Noble Park for many years so it was not difficult to satisfy the exemption requirements.”
The pool has had more than 18,000 visitors this summer – comparable to that of previous hot summers Mr Baker said.